Rio’s Aquarium has become a popular attraction in the city’s most hypped area

Part of the newly renovated harbour area, Rio has earned a nice gift for locals as well as tourists: AquaRio, South America’s largest sea aquarium that attracts children and adults alike. It has a built area of 26,000 sq. meters (280,000 sq ft) with 4.5 million liters (1.2 million gallons) of seawater distribuited in 28 tanks. The species of animals and plants are signaled by a digital system.

Foto: Alexandre Macieira | Riotur

The greatest attraction is the main oceanic tank where it is also possible to schedule to dive among the animals. It’s 7 meters high (23 ft high) and has a tunnel in the middle so the visitor can be fully surrounded by it. There are 24 other smaller tanks and 3 others where the public are allowed to interact directly with some of the animals.

For those willing to pay an extra fee, it is possible to create a personalized virtual fish that will be the host during the visit talking to the visitor whenever he or she approaches terminals spread around the whole circuit.

Foto: Alexandre Macieira | Riotur

Other attractions include the Virtual Marine Aquarium that allows total interaction. The visitor can learn about the species that cannot be in direct contact with the public for safety, public health reasons or for not stressing the animals out. In one of the rooms using AR (augmented reality) the visitors can even “hold” them.

The Science Museum hosts permanent or temporary exhibits related to the sea life and other aquatic environments. There is also a Surf Museum showing pictures and boards of the 25-year-old collection of Rico de Souza, a Brazilian surfer. The collection has some reliques and equipaments from professionals like World Champions Gabriel Medina and Mineirinho.

Foto: Alexandre Macieira | Riotur

AquaRio is open everyday, 10AM-6PM – entrance allowed until 5PM. The whole tour takes about an hour to complete but there is no limit of permanence.

Reduced fee of R$ 40 (approximately US$ 12,50 or € 10) applies to children aged 3 to 11 and people with disabilities. The regular fee is US$ 25 or € 21. In the AquaRio website it is possible to check prices for special tours that include Rio’s Zoo or a visit to the Christ The Redeemer Statue. http://www.aquariomarinhodorio.com.br/